All That's Jazz

Episode 23 Ken Schaphorst

Fifty years ago, the New England Conservatory of Music started the first fully accredited jazz studies program at the conservatory level. Since then, NEC has been a pioneer in the education of jazz artists. NEC trains the some of the most talented young musicians in a broad range of styles, while continually seeking ways to expand jazz traditions through the development of students’ individual voices. 

In our conversation with the Chair of Jazz Studies, Ken Schaphorst, we talk not only about the NEC’s  wide-ranging programs, but also their extensive plans to safely start their school year through in-person and on line learning during this challenging time of COVID-19.  

As Jazz Times writes: “NEC’s jazz studies department is among the most acclaimed and successful in the world; so says the roster of visionary artists that have comprised both its faculty and students.” 

Episode 22 Canadian Vocalist/Pianist Carol Welsman

Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold over 60,000 CDs in Canada alone, something few jazz/pop artists in Canada have experienced. 

Don Heckman at the Los Angeles Times says: “Welsman is that rarest of discoveries: a fully formed artist with the musicality, imagination and looks to cruise to the top of the jazz vocal genre.”

Episode 21 Birdland Jazz Club

Birdland. The Mecca of Jazz in New York City. There are only be a few names in jazz history that equal the importance of this iconic club. This week’s VERY SPECIAL All That’s Jazz Podcast conversation is with Birdland Jazz Club owner, Gianni Valenti, manager Ryan Paternite, and booking agent Jim Caruso to talk about the club’s rich past, how they are changing course in today’s world and what they envision for the future.

Episode 20 Eric Person

For over thirty years, Eric Person has been committed to composing, recording and performing dynamic and innovative music. His personal sound on alto, soprano, tenor saxophones and flute have been featured on more than 50 recordings. He studied at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and has taught and performed internationally. He has a broad range of experience performing with the masters of modern creative music, such as Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner, Chico Hamilton, Wallace Roney, Ronald Shannon Jackson, World Saxophone Quartet, John Hicks and more.

Episode 19 Simone Gubbiotti

Guitarist Simone Gubbiotti is a musician with a strong presence in both the USA and Europe. Based in Umbria (Italy) Simone frequents the US regularly where he performs with musicians including Peter Erskine, Sid Jacobs, Joe La Barbera, Arthur Blythe, Lewis Nash, Adam Nussbaum and Jay Anderson.

Music was not Simone’s first passion, he began his career in the world of sports where he played professionally for a number of top Italian soccer clubs including AC Milan. After sustaining a serious knee injury Simone took the decision to refocus and pursue a career in music.

Episode 18 Shunzo Ohno

Considered one of the most influential trumpeters of our time, Shunzo Ohno has played, recorded and toured with such renowned leaders as Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, and many others. Mr. Ohno has 16 recordings under his name as a leader and has appeared on over thirty more as a sideman.
The compelling Latin energy in Shunzo's playing can be traced back to his tenure with the celebrated Machito and his Afro-Cuban Orchestra. He recorded the Grammy Award-winning album with Machito and His Salsa Big Band (1983), which feature his solos.
In 1988, he was involved in a serious automobile accident in which his teeth and lips were permanently damaged. He remained undeterred by the long recovery process, and strengthened his resolve to find a new approach to his music. In 1996 when he was diagnosed with life-threatening throat cancer. For three years, he underwent radical treatments to control the disease and embarked on the difficult road to recovery. His refusal to allow personal struggles and seemingly insurmountable circumstances led Shunzo to create new developments in his art and unique voice.

Your love for the trumpet and the exquisite music it creates is unsurpassed, its' message of hope and triumph radiating from the world of jazz in New York out towards the entire world, instilling listeners everywhere the strength to live.”  

Episode 17 Spanish Harlem Orchestra

4X Grammy Award Winner Oscar Hernández has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/ arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music scene. He has achieved legendary status for his prolific career spanning now over 40 years. Besides  a solo career, plus composing and arranging, Hernandez is leader of the world-renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra that’s garnered numerous awards and world acclaim as one of the finest exponents of Salsa and Latin/Jazz music. Spanish Harlem Orchestra is generally considered one of the best Salsa & Latin-Jazz Orchestras today and one of the finest music ensembles in the world. He just finished releasing SHO’s 7th CD titled, “The Latin Jazz Project”, which is receiving rave reviews.

Episode 16 Lenora Zenzalai Helm

Lenora Zenzalai is a jazz vocalist, vocal musicianship coach, composer, lyricist and educator with seven solo recordings, her own recording and publishing company,  Zenzalai Music and an extensive discography with some of the biggest names in Jazz.

Episode 15 Hannah Baiardi

Composer Hannah Baiardi started playing piano and writing her first songs when she was three.  Hannah has become an adept composer, arranger, lyricist and bandleader. She has made it her mission to break barriers between genres and debunk musical stereotypes. Trying to find a happy medium between pop, R&B and Contemporary Jazz.

Episode 14 Daniel Hersog

Daniel Hersog of Canada is a noted young jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger who has toured North America leading large ensembles with such notable musicians Noah Preminger and Frank Carlberg. His debut release as a composer is "Night Devoid of Stars" featuring a 16-piece orchestra.